Liquid transfer mechanisms



Aug. 10, 1965 E. c. Divas ETAM.,

LIQUID TRANSFER MECHANISMS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. lO, 1962 www@ INVENTOR. EDWIN C. DlVES THOMAS L. DIVES BY F'ULWIDER.. PATTON.

/ RIEBER. LEE 8. UTECHT ATTO R NEYS ug- 10, 1965 E. c. Dn/Es ETAL, 3,399,746

LIQUID TRANSFER MECHANISMS Filed Sept. lO, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS INVENTOR. EDWIN C. DIV THOMAS L. BYFULVVIDER., PATTO RIEBER.,LEE 8, UTECHT Aomumfst United States Patent O 3 19954 mourn 'raar-.1 curieuse/rs Edwin C. Dives and Thomas L. Dives, both of 916 S. Gerhart St., Los Angeles, Caiif. Filed Sept. itl, i952, Ser. No. 222,367 3 Claims. (Ci. 22.2 3%) The present invention relates generally to liquid transfer mechanisms, and more specifically to fluid pressure operated apparatuses for removing liquids from containers.

Liquids of various chemical properties are stored in containers of various shapes and designs. Frequently, it becomes necessary to use considerable quantities of liquids `at relatively remote locations. Under ythese circumstances, difficulty has heretofore been encountered in removing such liquids from the containers in a simple and efficient manner. That is, where relatively large quantities of liquids are required, the problem of removing the liquid from the container is complicated due -to the large containers employed. The usual means whereby the liquid is poured from the container, or is removed therefrom by means of a suitable spigot or like valve means is generally unsatisfactory.

in view of the foregoing, the present invention was conceived to provide an automatic liquid transfer mechanism which can be quickly and easily attached to and removed from containers, and which is operable to effectively remove the liquids therefrom. This invention consists of means whereby fluid pressure is applied to the surface of the liquid within the container to force such liquid out of the container through suitable conduit means provided for that purpose.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid transfer mechanism for quickly and easily removing liquid from a container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid transfer mechanism which is readily transportable from one location to another.

Another object is to provide a liquid transfer mechanism which can be attached to and removed from a container without the need for complicated or cumbersome tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid transfer mechanism as characterized above which utilizes portable uid pressure to force the liquid from within the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid transfer mechanism as characterized above which includes pressure regulator means for insuring that the pressure within the container is always within predetermined safe limits.

A further obiect of the present invention is to provide a transfer mechanism as characterized above having pressure operated means for exhausting the interior of the container yto the atmosphere whenever the pressure therewithin exceeds a predetermined safe limit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid transfer mechanism as characterized above having uid pressure indicating means for, at all times, indicating the pressure within the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide `a liquid transfer mechanism as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which we consider characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fatented Aug'. l0, '.11255 ICC FGURE 1l is a fragmentary perspective View showing the liquid transfer mechanism mounted `on a uid container;

`FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through the liquid transfer mechanism, taken substantially along line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FiGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

yFIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pressure regulator portion of the subject mechanism, taken substantially along line 5 5 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 6 6 of FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

lLike reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown therein a tank or liquid container 10 whereon is operatively positioned a fluid transfer mechanism l2 according to the present invention. Mechanism 12 comprises a source of fluid pressure 14 and a control device 16.

Control device 16, as shown most clearly in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, comprises a housing 13 having a central unit 2t? Ythe lower end portion of which is provided with external fastening threads Ztia for cooperation with internal threads lua formed in container it). Such threads preferably should be tapered, on the order of pipe threads, to provide a more edective seal between the housing i8 and container it).

To further assist in hermetically sealing the housing 18 within the container lil, there is provided a locking nut 22 on central housing unit 2i), said nut being provided with internal fastening threads for cooperation with the aforementioned threads 20a. An annular sealing member 24 is interposed between nut 22 and the upper surface of container iii to provide a hermetic seal therebetween. The lower end portion of housing unit 2o is further formed with an annular cutout or groove 26h wherein is positioned an O-ring 26 formed of rubber or similar sealing material for sealing engagement with the internal surface of locking nut 22.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE l of the drawings, nut 22 is formed with a plurality of radially disposed notches 22a for receiving a suitably formed wrench whereby the nut 22 can be firmly fastened against the annular sealing member 24.

Central housing unit 2li, as shown in FiGURES 2 and 3, is formed with a iiuid passageway 2de and the lower portion of which opens into the interior of container iti. The upper end portion of passageway 20c terminates in a cavity 29d formed in housing unit Z.

Housing 1S is also provided with a housing unit 28 formed with a chamber Sti wherein is positioned a pressure regulator identified generally with the numeral 32. A passageway 34 in housing i8 interconnects chamber Sti and cavity Ztid for purposes which will hereinafter be explained in detail.

Unit 20 of housing 18 is further formed with an L- shaped through opening 20e the lower end portion of which is formed with internal fastening threads as at Ztif, and the upper end portion of which is provided with fastening threads 2tlg.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE l of the drawings, an elongated pipe or tubular member 36 is threadedly fastened to the threaded lower end portion of L-shaped through opening 2de to be positioned substantially entirely within the container it). Although it is not mandatory for successful practice of the present invention, it has been found desirable to employ a pipe or tubular member 36 which is retractable and cxpansible to accommodate containers of differing sizes and shapes. The

. on the lower end portion of valve seat member 56.

3 tubular member 36 shown in FIGURE 1 comprises a plurality of telescoping pipe sections arranged in contiguous fashion through which, as will hereinafter appear, liquid is permitted to ow. For this purpose, any suitable inlet means can be provided near the lower end of the tubular member 36 to permit the liquid within tank 10 to enter such tubular member.

Mounted within the upper end portion of L-shaped through opening 26e, as by internal fastening threads 20g therein, is a pipe section 33 whereon is mounted one end 46a of a flexible conduit 40. The other end 41H7 of conduit 40 carries a U-shaped lling pipe 42. A ow control device 44 is also interposed in conduit 40 and is manually operable, as desired, to permit and prevent uid flow through conduit 40 as will hereinafter become more apparent.

The force for moving the liquid out of container 19 is in the form of fluid pressure, such as compressed air, stored Within tank 14. As shown most clearly in FIG- URE 1 of the drawings, tank 14 may be provided with suitable mounting means for attachment to the liquid container 10. However, such mounting means is not essential for successful practice of the present invention, since the tank 14- can be positioned as desired.

Tank 14 comprises suitable coupling means, as shown at 46 in FIGURE l, for receiving one end of a flexible conduit 4S. The other end of conduit 48 is connected to suitable coupling means 50 threadedly mounted within Van opening 52 formed in housing unit 28. Opening 52 communicates with a valve chamber 54 formed in unit 2S. The upper end of valve chamber 54 is threaded as at 54a for receiving a valve seat member 56 having a through opening 56a.

The lower end portion of valve chamber 54 is provided with cylindrically shaped bearing means 54h having a centrally located opening 54C for slidably receiving a valve stem 58. A compression spring 60 slidably tits about bearing portion 54b between the lower end wall of housing 2S and a valve member 62 carried by stem 58.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, valve member 62 is provided with an annular flow control insert 62a which cooperates with a valve seat 56b formed As will hereinafter be explained in greater detail, the cooperation between valve member 62 and valve seat member 56 controls the ilow of uid pressure from valve chamber 54 in housing unit 28 to the central opening 56a of valve seat member 56.

Valve seat member S6 is further provided with three radially disposed angular ilow control ports 56C. Thus the fluid pressure afforded to central opening 56a of member 56 is permitted to flow through ports 56e to pressure chamber 30 within housing unit 28. An annular sealing member or gasket 64 is interposed between the annular shoulder afforded by the enlarged upper end portion of valve seat member 56 and the housing unit 28 when the valve seat member 56 is threadedly positioned therein as shown in the drawing. Thus there is provided an hermetic seal between member 56 and the housing to insure that iiuid flow to chamber 30 is solely dependent upon operation of valve member 62.

The upper end portion of housing unit 28 is cup-shaped as at 28a. Also, housing unit 28 is provided with an annular shoulder 28h for receiving one or more flexible diaphragms'as shown at 66 and 68. The cup-shaped upper end portion 28a is formed with internal fastening threads 28C for receiving a cup-shaped housing member 70. An annular sealing member or gasket 72 is interposed between shoulder 28h of housing un-it 28 and housing member 7 0 to afford an hermetic seal around the marginal edges of the diaphragm members 66 and 68.

Attached to the underside of or positioned in abutting relation to diaphragm member 66 is a generally T-shaped actuating member 74 which comprises a stem 74a and a generally flat circular abutting portion 74h. Stem 74a is formed with a guide portion 74e which slidably lits within the central through opening 56a of valve seat member 56. Such stem is also formed with a lowe-r end portion 74d of reduced diameter to enable stem 74 to control the movement of valve member 62, as will hereinafter appear, without interfering with communication between opening 56a and the three radially disposed ports 56C.

Disposed within cup-shaped housing member 70 is a compression spring 76 the lower end portion of which fits within a generally cup-shaped retainer 7S, the latter of which is connected to diaphragm member 68. The upper end portion of compression spring 76 lits a retainer 80. An adjustment screw 82 is threadedly positioned within the housing member 70 for adjusting the position of retainer and hence the compressive force of spring 76 on diaphragms 66 and 68 as will hereinafter become more apparent.

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, it is seen that the upper end portion of central housing unit 20 is provided with fastening threads 20h adjacent the cavity 20d. -A housing member 84 carrying a relief valve assembly 86 is threadedly positioned wit-hin the upper end portion of central housing unit 20. That is, housing member 84 is formed with external fastening threads for cooperation with threads 20h in housing unit 20 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. Housing unit 84 is further formed with an annular flange 84a providing a shoulder for sealing engagement with an annular gasket 88 positioned within a suitable annular recess formed in housing unit 20.

Member 84 -is formed with a depending central portion 8411 having acentral opening 84e. The lower end portion of opening 84C is formed with fastening threads, as at 84a', for threadedly receiving a valve seat member 90. A sealing member or gasket 92 is interposed between valve seat member 9G and the housing member 84.

Valve seat member is formed with a through opening `99a which is enlarged at yits upper end as shown at 9G11. Such arrangement provides an annular edge 90u which constitutes a valve seat for a spherically shaped valve member 94. Valve member 94 should be of such size as to slidably fit within the enlarged upper end of opening 90a in valve seat member 90. As such, there is provided an effective guide for the movement of valve member 94 between ow preventing and tlow permitting position with respect to the valve seat afforded by annular edge 90e. The spherical valve member 94 should be selected in accordance with the diameter of the lower end portion of opening 90a. That is, for maximum flow preventing cooperation between valve member 94 and valve seat 90C, the diameter of the annular edge 90e should be slightly less than the diameter of spherical ilow control member 94.

Also positioned within opening 84C of housing member 84 is a compression spring 96 the lower end portion of -which abuts against the valve member 94. Threadedly positioned within the upper end -protion of housing member 84 is an adjustment screw 98 which rest-s against the upper end portion of compression spring 96. As such, and as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail, adjustment of screw 98 within housing member 84 alters the compressive force of spring 96 as applied to valve member 94.

Housing member 84 is further formed with an opening 84e which exhausts opening 84e to the atmosphere.

`As shown most clearly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the rear of the central housing unit 20 is provided with a boss 20j wherein there is provided a threaded through opening 20k which communicates with cavity 20d. Within opening 20k is an L-shaped fitting 100 having an externally threaded end portion 100a mounted in opening 20k, and an internally threaded end portion 100b. Such internal threads are part of an L-shaped through opening 100e formed in fitting 100.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 1 of the. drawings,I

a pressure indicator 102 is threadedly connected to end portion 100b of fitting 101i, said indicator having a pointer 102:1 which is responsive to fluid pressure within the cavity 20d of central housing unit 20.

IFormed integrally with housing units 20 and 28, is a holder 194 having a through opening 10411 wherein the filling pipe 42 can be positioned when not in use.

The device shown in the drawings and hereinbefore described in detail, operates generally as follows.

With the threads 29a of central housing unit 20 firmly engaging the open-ing a in container 10, the lock nut 22 is brought to bear against the washer 24. Such arrangement, of course, hermetically seals the control unit 16 on the cont-ainer v10.

The source of fluid pressure 14 is mounted on the side of tank 10 and the flexible conduit 48 is connected to the fitting 46 on tank 14 and to the fit-ting 5G on housing unit 28. Flexible conduit 48, in like manner, is connected between fitting 38, attached to central housing unit 20, `and to the flow control device 44 connected to filling pipe 22.

As long as flow control device 44 rema-ins closed, the :duid pressure from source 14 tiows through exible conduit 48 and opening 52 into valve chamber 54 of housing unit 28. In the event the pressure within chamber 30 of housing unit 28 is less than a predetermined minimum value, the compression spring 7S will cause diaphragm members 66 and 68 to bend downwardly thereby causing stem 74a of member 74 to move valve member 62 to fiow permitting position with respect to valve seat 56h against the force of compression spring 60. When this happens, the fluid under pressure within valve chamber 54 is permitted to `iiow into chamber 30 through opening 56a formed in valve seat member 56.

Such fluid pressure within chamber 30 is caused to fiow into container 10 through passageway 34, cavity 20d and vertical opening 20c in the central housing unit 20. Such uid pressure, which as above explained can be air under pressure, is thereby applied to the surface `of the liquid within container 10.

When the pressure within chamber 30 and hence within container 10 reaches a predetermined maximum value 'as determined by the setting of regulator 32, the valve member 62 is caused to close against valve seat 56b. This results from the increase in pressure within chamber 3i) forcing the diaphragm members 66 and 68 upwardly :against the force of compression spring 76. As a result, the actuator member 74 is also moved upwardly until a point is reached where compression spring 60 is permitted to .move valve member 62 t-o its ow preventing position. When this occurs, the pressure within container 10 reaches a steady state.

In the event it is desired to increase or decrease the steady state of pressure within container 10, it is merely necessary to increase or decrease the force of compression spring 76 on diaphragm members 66 and 68 by means of adjustment screw 82. To increase the pressure within container 10 to the screw 82 is turned inwardly to cause spring 76 to exert a greater force 'on the diaphragms. Under these conditions a .greater force is required within pressure chamber 30 to return diaphragm members 66 and 68 to a position to permit valve member 62 to close. To decrease such pressure Within container 16, it is merely necessary to retract adjustment screw 82 so as to partially relieve diaghragm 66 and 68 of some of the pressure of compression spring 76.

The pressure within cavity 20d and 4hence the pressure within container 10 is continually indicated by the indicator 102. The pressure within cavity Zd is applied to indicated 102 through the L-shaped fitting 100.

If for reasons such as falfunction of certain components of the subject apparatus the pressure within container 10 should exceed a maximum safe limit, the cavity 20d and hence the interior of container 10 will be exhausted to the atmosphere through relief valve 86. The maximum safe limit, of course, is determined by the compressive force of spring 96 on check valve 94. When such predetermined maximum safe limit is exceeded, the unusually high pressure within the cavity 20d moves valve member 94 from ow preventing engagement with valve seat e. When this happens the fluid pressure within said cavity is exhausted through openings 90a, 84e and 84e to the atmosphere.

The unsafe fiuid pressure within container 10 is thereby relieved, and the valve member 94 is permittd to return t0 flow preventing position in engagement with valve seat 98C whenever the pressure within cavity 28d returns to a safe value.

To transfer the liquid from container 10, it is merely necessary to remove the filling pipe 42 from holder 164, and lto position the same in the container or tank to Ibe filled. Thereafter, the ow control device 44 can be manually opened so that the aforementioned fluid pressure on the liquid within container 10 forces such liquid up the tubular member or pipe 36. Such liquid is then forced through the L-shaped opening 20e in central housing unit 20, and through flexible conduit 40, fiow control device 44 and filling pipe 42 to the container to be filled.

After the desired amount of liquid has been transferred from container 10, it is merely necessary to manually actuate flow control device 44 to its fiow preventing position. Thereupon, further iiow of liquid from container 1t) is prevented and the filling pipe 42 can be returned to holder 184 as shown in FGURE 1.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a liquid transfer mechanism which is easy to mount on and remove from a container without the need of elaborate and cumbersome tools. Due to these and other reasons, uch transfer mechanism is ideally suited for use in the eld.

Also, the subject liquid transfer mechanism is easy and safe to operate due to the continuous indication of the fluid pressure within the container and due to the aforedescribed operation of the relief valve. Optimum operation, of course, is yobtained by virtue of the operation ofthe pressure regulator whereby the fluid pressure within conainer 10 is always maintained within predetermined safe imits.

Although we have -shown and described certain specific embodiments of our invention we are fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. Our invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art by thes pirit of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A quickly demountable liquid transfer mechanism adapted for use with a .container having a threaded opening comprising:

(a) 'a housing having male threads thereon for connection with the threaded opening in the container;

(b) a vertically disposed cavity in said housing;

(c) -a first vertically disposed passageway in said housing for connecting said cavity with the interior of the container;

(d) a vertically disposed chamber in :said housing,

(e) a second passageway in said housing, a portion of `said second passageway being parallel to said rst passageway;

(f) -a third passageway in said housing connecting said cavity and said chamber;

(g) `a fluid pressure limiting means operatively posiltioned within said cavity to exhaust said first passageway when the fiuid pressure therein exceeds a predetermined safe maximum limit;

(h) iiuid pressure means including a pressure regulator operatively positioned within said chamber to provide a predetermined uid pressure within said container;

(i) a first conduit portion connected to said second passageway and telescopingly extending into said container; and

(j) va second conduit portion connected to said second passageway, extending exterior Ito said housing and container and including ow control means having a flow preventing position and a 110W permitting position allowing uid pressure wit-hin said container t0 lforce the liquid therein through said conduit portions.

2. A quickly demountable liquid transfer mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said second conduit is flexible.

3. A quickly demountable liquid transfer mechanism as dened in claim `1 including a pressure indicator mounted on said housing and communicating with said cavity.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Haven 222-.-399 Ma-gill Z22- 464 X Williamson 222-396 Schulz 222--464 X Stewaet 2212-396 X Phalen 222-396 X LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A QUICKLY DEMOUNTABLE LIQUID TRANSFER MECHANISM ADAPTED FOR USE WITH A CONTAINER HAVING A THREADED OPEN-ING COMPRISING: (A) A HOUSING HAVING MALE THREADS THEREON FOR CON-NECTION WITH THE THREADED OPENING IN THE CONTAINER; (B) A VERTICALLY DISPOSED CAVITY IN SAID HOUSING: (C) A FIRST VERTICALLY DISPOSED PASSAGEWAY IN SAID HOUS-ING FOR CONNECTING SAID CAVITY WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER; (D) A VERTICALLY DISPOSED CHAMBER IN SAID HOUSING, (E) A SECOND PASSAGEWAY IN SAID HOUSING, A PORTION OF SAID SECOND PASSAGEWAY BEING PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST PASSAGEWAY; (F) A THIRD PASSAGEWAY IN SAID HOUSING CONNECTING SAID CAVITY AND SAID CHAMBER; (G) A FLUID PRESSURE LIMITING MEANS OPERATIVELY POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CAVITY TO EXHAUST SAID FIRST PASSAGE-WAY WHEN THE FLUID PRESSURE THEREIN EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED SAFE MAXIMUM LIMIT; (H) FLUID PRESSURE MEANS INCLUDING A PRESSURE REGULA-TOR OPERATIVELY POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CHAMBER TO PROVIDE A PREDETERMINED FLUID PRESSURE WITHIN SAID CONTAINER; (I) A FIRST CONDUIT PORTION CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND PASSAGEWAY AND TELESCOPINGLY EXTENDING INTO SAID CONTAINER; AND (J) A SECOND CONDUIT PORTION CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND PASSAGEWAY, EXTENDING EXTERIOR TO SAID HOUSING AND CONTAINER AND INCLUDING FLOW CONTROL MEANS HAVING A FLOW PREVENTING POSITION AND A FLOW PERMITTING POSITION ALLOWING FLUID PRESSURE WITHIN SAID CONTAINER TO FORCE THE LIQUID THEREIN THROUGH SAID CONDUIT POR-TIONS. 